Posts Tagged ‘Woodstock’
Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
Ceiling fans really help people reduce their heating and cooling cost. They have the ability to reduce warm temperatures up to 7 degrees, while dramatically reducing air conditioning costs. During the winter months, ceiling fans can operate in reverse mode. Doing so will circulate warm air throughout the room by pushing it up toward the ceiling. Careful consideration should be given when buying a ceiling fan, because of the wide variety available.
Fan Size
The fan should not be too large or too small for your room. A rule of thumb is to have at least 7 feet of clearance from the floor to the fan. The blades and the nearest wall should be a minimum of two feet apart.
Fan Motors
For ceiling fans to operate with efficiency, the size of the motor and the ground motor windings must coincide with blade length. This will allow the fan to run without using a lot of energy and continuously without any problems. However, when the blades or motor are not balanced correctly, the fan will begin to vibrate even at lower speeds. The motors that come with outdoor fans are built to endure temperature changes and moisture.
Fan Blades
Fan blades come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Appearance however is secondary to choosing ones that will provide the best performance and stability. You also need to decide what blade pitch you want. A higher pitch equals greater air circulation at lower speeds. Blade pitches are available between 8 and 15 degrees.
Another thing to consider is fan mounts. There are three types: flush mount, down rod mount, and tri-mount. Down rods are suited for higher ceilings, flush mount is designed for lower ceilings, and the tri-mount provides the best circulation regardless of height.
For more helpful hints check us out on www.southairinc.com
Tags: Acworth, Air Conditioning, Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austell, Canton, Cartersville, Cherokee County, Cumberland, Dallas, East Cobb, Euharlee, Fulton County, Geothermal, Holly Springs, HVAC, Indoor Air Quality, Kennesaw, Kingston, Lost Mountain, Mableton, Marietta, Mars Hill, Paulding County, Powder Springs, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Taylorsville, Townlake, Vinings, Waleska, White, Woodstock
Posted in Air Conditioning, Energy Savings, Gas Heaters, Geothermal, Heat Pump Systems, Heat Pumps, Heating, Home Savings, Indoor Air Quality, Insulation, Maintenance Plan/Comfort Club | Comments Off
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011
Are you looking for inexpensive ways to save money on energy bills this winter? Now is a great time to tackle these home projects and each of them is very affordable.
1. Add weather stripping to your doors and windows. Keeping warm air from escaping and drafts from blowing in can make a 5% to 10% difference in your energy use.
2. Seal exposed ductwork in attics and basements. Check for gaps in seams and joints, holes, or other places where warm air can escape. Use high quality mastic, rather then silver or duct tape that won’t hold as well or be efficient. Experts say that as much as 20% of warm air can escape through leaky ducts, so this is a great way to save money!
3. Put an insulation blanket on your water heater. The water tank warms up 30 or 40 gallons of water and then it starts to cool off, wasting money. An insulating blanket will slow down the heat loss substantially.
4. Program your thermostat so that the system runs less when you are nott there. Let the temperature fall 10 degrees or so when the house is empty, and you can program it to warm back up before you get home
5. Run full loads of laundry instead of several small loads. You’ll reduce your water use and your overall electrical use.
6. Add insulation to the attic. In winter, heated air escapes through the ceiling into the attic and out of the house. In summer, the attic gets hot and that air pushes down into the house, causing the air conditioner to work harder. A layer of insulation (minimum R19) in the attic will help year-round.
7. Have your furnace or heat pump cleaned and tuned up for winter. A dirty furnace or heat pump coil can waste 20% or more of the energy it uses. Having your entire HVAC system serviced before winter is a cost that might pay you back very quickly.
These are very good ways to reduce energy use on a limited budget. They are easy to accomplish and you will notice immediate results — lower energy bills every month going forward!
Tags: Acworth, Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austell, Bridgemill, Buckhead, Canton, Cartersville, Cherokee County, Clarkdale, Crabapple, Cumberland, Dallas, East Cobb, Euharlee, Holly Springs, Kennesaw, Kingston, Lake Arrowhead, Lost Mountain, Mableton, Marietta, Mars Hill, Milton, Mountain Park, Northpoint, Powder Springs, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Taylorsville, Townlake, Vinings, Waleska, White, Woodstock
Posted in Energy Savings, Gas Heaters, Heat Pump Systems, Heat Pumps, Heating, Home Savings, Insulation, Maintenance Plan/Comfort Club, Rebates & Tax Credits, Tax Credits, Trane, Winterizing | Comments Off
Wednesday, November 30th, 2011
Winter is coming fast, and it certainly doesn’t let us forget it! Blustery winds that chill through to your bones, iced up car windows, and snow days, this often means that the temperature outside has reached as low as 30 degrees or colder when wind chill is considered!
A large reason that we are able to live comfortably in this weather is because of a special appliance that is often tucked away in your house and not really considered on a daily basis: your furnace.
Furnaces consist of three major components: the burners, a draft inducer, and a heat exchanger. When you bump up your thermostat or it detects that the temperature of your house/building has dropped below its designated temperature, it send a signal to the furnace to ignite its burners.
After the burners are ignited, the draft inducer kicks into action, and sucks the hot gases from the burners towards the heat exchanger. A draft inducer looks similar to a cars turbocharger, and works in a similar manner also. While the hot gas is moved through the heat exchanger, the furnace also brings air from your house through the heat exchanger in order to warm it. If the draft inducer is dirty in any way, this could cause the unit from igniting or staying lit.
And there you have it! Now you understand the basics of how a furnace works. Always use a professional to carry out maintenance and repairs to keep it running at peak efficiency and safe for the whole family.
Tags: Acworth, Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austell, Big Creek, Bridgemill, Buckhead, Canton, Cartersville, Cherokee County, Clarkdale, Cobb County, Crabapple, Cumberland, Dallas, East Cobb, Euharlee, Holly Springs, Kennesaw, Kingston, Lake Arrowhead, Lost Mountain, Mableton, Marietta, Mars Hill, Milton, Mountain Park, Northpoint, Powder Springs, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Taylorsville, Townlake, Vinings, White, Woodstock
Posted in Energy Savings, Gas Heaters, Heating, Home Savings, Maintenance Plan/Comfort Club, Rebates & Tax Credits, Tax Credits, Trane, Uncategorized, Winterizing | Comments Off
Friday, November 18th, 2011
Your home is a haven for you and your family. You do all you can to keep it comfortable and safe. If you live in a cold climate, you know how important it is to keep your home warm during the cold months. Being unsure whether your heating system will work properly through the winter can cause serious worry for a homeowner. Hiring a professional home heating service to do a yearly check-up is a great way to catch problems and make repairs before they turn into serious problems
Heating contractors have the expertise and training to handle any size of repair, and they deal with furnace issues and ductwork on a regular basis. They will evaluate your needs and give you an estimate for the repair before they begin it. You want to contract with professionals who have the skills and abilities to detect and repair problems to your heating and air conditioning system. Because they are experienced, they have worked on many different types of units, which give them important knowledge that the average homeowner simply doesn’t have.
Reliable heating contractors work hard to provide affordable bids quickly so that you can have them do the work that gets you back to status quo. It is a good idea to locate a contractor before you have a problem so that you will know who to call if an emergency were to occur. It is a good idea to have a company come out for a basic service call so you can see how easy they are to work with and how well they do their job. This way if problems arise later you know you have someone to call that you can trust and knows your system. If you try to fix a problem with your heating or air conditioning system on your own, you could actually make it worse and cause your home to be without heat for a longer period of time.
Choosing professional heating contractors will keep this from happening. Be sure when you call for your emergency that you accurately describe the problem with your system so that your heating contractors will have a better idea of where to start. This may reduce the total time they must spend and can save you money, since they get paid by the hour.
Tags: Acworth, Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austell, Bridgemill, Buckhead, Canton, Cartersville, Cherokee County, Cobb County, Dallas, East Cobb, Euharlee, Holly Springs, HVAC, Kennesaw, Kingston, Lake Arrowhead, Lost Mountain, Mableton, Marietta, Mars Hill, Milton, Mountain Park, Paulding County, Powder Springs, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Taylorsville, Waleska, White, Woodstock
Posted in Gas Heaters, Heat Pumps, Maintenance Plan/Comfort Club, Trane | Comments Off
Monday, November 14th, 2011
When the heater starts to malfunction, many homeowners debate whether they should call for furnace repair or buy an upgraded system. There are pros and cons to each choice and every individual will have to do some research and thinking to decide for himself or herself. Reparation can be the ecologically sound thing to do — or not. Many appliances are designed to go kaput at a certain age and to be hauled away to the dump.
Purchasing a new system can be good for the planet due to increased energy efficiency. If a system is so old that it guzzles energy like a hungry monster, this will make a large carbon footprint on the earth. Using a minimum of energy will be best for the planet and best for a consumer’s wallet. Here are some things to think about:
- Maintenance: An ounce of preventative maintenance is worth a pound of repair. Want to keep that HVAC working seamlessly for many years to come? Then perform regular maintenance and servicing. Replace the filter every month like clockwork.
On a specific date, such as the first of each month or every full moon, take out the old dusty one and discard it. Slip the new one into place, you have just extended the life of your furnace. Having a service technician come in at the beginning of every season to perform service will be a wise step, too.
- How old is your heater? Ancient furnace systems that clunk, clank and guzzle may be hopelessly outdated. When this old dinosaur breaks down, it may be wise to give it a decent burial. If it’s only a few years old, however, it would be wiser to call the repair person out to fix it.
- Energy star products: The government has given the “energy star” label to a variety of green products that are proven to cut energy consumption by 10 to 15%. The average family spends a couple thousand dollars to heat their home each winter and this savings can accumulate quickly. Not only will the utility bills be lower, but the government offers tax breaks to homeowners who install energy star products.
- Your repair person: It’s smart to establish a relationship with a tech before a breakdown occurs. Having an annual seasonal service performed will be the perfect opportunity to get this business relationship cemented.
When the heater goes kaput, it may be wise to call for furnace repair or might just be a wakeup call to purchase a new system. Doing a bit of homework and comparison shopping will provide answers for making an informed decision. Always choose a licensed professional.
Tags: Acworth, Alpharetta, Austell, Buckhead, Canton, Cartersville, Cherokee County, Cobb County, Dallas, East Cobb, Euharlee, Holly Springs, HVAC, Kennesaw, Kingston, Lost Mountain, Marietta, Mars Hill, Milton, Paulding County, Powder Springs, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Townlake, Vinings, White, Woodstock
Posted in Energy Savings, Gas Heaters, Heating, Home Savings, Maintenance Plan/Comfort Club, Tax Credits, Trane | Comments Off
Friday, November 11th, 2011
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, but dangerous gas. It is produced when a fuel such as natural gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned. Exposure to CO reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Fuel-burning appliances used indoors must be maintained, used properly and fully vented to the outdoors to prevent dangerous levels of CO. Hundreds of people die accidentally every year from CO poisoning caused by malfunctioning or improperly used fuel-burning appliances.
What are the health effects of carbon monoxide?
Once inhaled, CO attaches to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin normally carries oxygen throughout the body. When CO attaches, it blocks the oxygen the body must have, creating a wide range of health problems.
Breathing low levels of CO can cause:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Disorientation1
Many of these symptoms are similar to the flu, food poisoning or other illnesses. So you may not suspect CO poisoning. If symptoms persist, and especially if they get better after you leave the building, CO may be the cause.
Breathing higher levels of CO causes flu-like symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and weakness in healthy people.
Breathing high levels of CO also can cause:
- Sleepiness
- Nausea
- Anxiety or depression
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Impaired vision
- Impaired coordination
- Disorientation2
Breathing CO at low levels regularly may cause permanent mental or physical problems. At very high levels, it causes loss of consciousness and death.2
Approximately 450 people die each year from CO exposure related to fuel-burning, residential appliances. Thousands more became ill or sought medical attention.3 CO poisoning is estimated to cause more than 50,000 emergency room visits in the United States each year.2
How can you protect yourself from carbon monoxide?
Make sure stoves or other devices that burn fuel indoors are fully vented to the outdoors. Have a professional check them once a year to be sure they are running well.
Sources include:
- Gas appliances (furnaces, ranges, ovens, water heaters, clothes dryers, etc.)
- Fireplaces, wood stoves
- Coal or oil furnaces
- Space heaters or oil or kerosene heaters
- Charcoal grills, camp stoves
- Gas-powered lawn mowers and power tools
- Automobile exhaust fumes
The following simple steps can prevent CO poisoning:
- Make sure appliances are installed and working according to manufacturers’ instructions and local building codes.
- Never use unvented appliances — make sure all appliances are fully vented to the outdoors.
- Have the heating system, chimney and flue inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician every year.
- Do not use ovens and gas ranges to heat your home.
- Do not burn charcoal, kerosene lanterns or portable camp stoves inside a home, cabin, recreational vehicle or camper.
- Do not operate gasoline-powered engines in confined areas such as garages or basements.
- Never leave your car or mower running in a closed garage.
- Make sure your furnace has an adequate intake of outside air.
- Install a CO detector with an audible alarm in your home and garage.
- Cigarettes, pipes and cigars also produce carbon monoxide. Do not let anyone smoke inside your home.
After an emergency or power outage, be sure to remember these steps so you don’t risk your family’s health. Too many people are poisoned by CO after bad weather emergencies, like snowstorms and hurricanes. You may need to seek shelter elsewhere until the electricity is back.
Should I buy a carbon monoxide detector?
Tags: Acworth, Air Filtration, Atlanta, Austell, Bridgemill, Cherokee County, Dallas, Indoor Air Quality, Kennesaw, Marietta, Paulding County, Woodstock
Posted in Energy Savings, Gas Heaters, Heating, Home Savings, Indoor Air Quality, Oil Heaters, Winterizing | Comments Off
Monday, August 29th, 2011
If you cannot afford or do not have duct work to support a central air conditioning system in Woodstock, there are two options – window units or ductless units. But, which is better? It depends largely on your budget, whether you rent or own and if there are any risks inherent in either choice.
Window Units
First let’s look at window units. Window units are the least expensive form of air conditioning on the market and don’t require any work on your home to install. They are good for single rooms and smaller apartments as well, and they can usually be installed by one or two people without professional assistance.
The downside of a window unit is that it cannot cool your entire home, even in an apartment. Also, window units tend to block an entire window and they pose a security risk, especially on the first floor. They are easy to remove from the outside and therefore should only be used in extreme circumstances if the window is easy to access.
Ductless Systems
Ductless systems offer benefits that counter all of the downsides of a window unit. Specifically, they don’t block the windows and are mounted inside on the walls. They are also more efficient than window units, using 30% less energy on average than a comparable window unit. They can be sized to cool your entire home and they still don’t use ductwork so extreme installation methods are not needed.
The major drawback is cost. A ductless system costs much more than a window unit, usually by 5-10 fold. They are more efficient, quieter, and less obtrusive, but they require a professional installation and the units themselves are pricy. Another issue to consider is whether you rent or own your home. Renters may not be permitted to have a system installed like this as it takes up more space and requires some work that could alter the building.
Which Is Better?
So, which should you choose? It depends on the specific needs of your home. If you have two or more zones to cool and can afford to have a ductless system installed, it is a great long term solution. However, if you are a renter, only have one or two rooms to cool or you live on a higher floor of a shared building, a window unit may be sufficient for your needs.
Tags: Air Conditioning, Euharlee, Holly Springs, Woodstock
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off
Friday, August 26th, 2011
Indoor allergens range from the obnoxious like pet dander, pollen and dust to the downright dangerous like mold, smoke and dust mites. Typically, you won’t even realize you have allergens in your Cartersville home until one or more members of your family develop symptoms of discomfort or illness with no clear reason. Long term respiratory or allergic issues when inside the house are usually a clear sign of an indoor allergen problem – usually something you can fix.
Identify the Allergen
Step one is to identify the source of the discomfort. Most allergens are related to something you have in or around your home. For example, if you have a cat or dog, you very likely have high levels of pet dander. A flower garden outside or lots of plants inside can result in high pollen levels. Excess moisture in your basement or attic can result in dust mite and mold growth.
If you are unsure of what allergens are causing your discomfort, there are companies that can test the air in your home for specific allergens. These tests look for all allergens as well as potentially dangerous contaminants like radon and MVOC toxins from mold and mildew. Whether you need such testing depends on the severity of your health concerns and the initial inspection performed by your contractor.
Getting Rid of Allergens
Once you know for sure what your problem is, it’s time to cut back on the allergens. Mechanical fixes are available in the form of air filters and advanced ventilation systems. You can supplement those solutions by implementing a series of simple upgrades to your insulation to keep out the pollutants that are outside.
The key is to make sure the air flows freely through your home and filters remove and ventilate the air properly to keep it from growing too stale and making you sick. You can also cut back on the use of certain chemicals and materials that cause allergens to build up. For example, aerosols, paints and glues produce a number of irritating gases that tend to stick around inside.
Additionally, make sure your pets are cleaned often and that your upholstery and carpet is vacuumed daily by a HEPA quality vacuum cleaner. This will severely reduce the presence of dust, dust mites and dander.
By focusing heavily on the reduction of pollutants and allergens like dander, pollen and dust, most of your indoor air quality problems will be solved. It just takes awareness and action.
Tags: Air Filtration, Cartersville, Indoor Air Quality, Mountain Park, Woodstock
Posted in Indoor Air Quality | Comments Off
Monday, July 25th, 2011
When you move into an existing home, there are many pieces of equipment that you may not want to keep. Some of them are just old and poor quality, while others cost you a lot of money and others still may be dangerous to you or your children. Before you settle into your space, make sure you have every one of your systems checked thoroughly for potential problems including inefficient heating, dangerous parts or environmentally unfriendly components.
Energy Cost
Number one on your list should be the cost of the energy needed to run your HVAC equipment. Furnaces and air conditioners in particular have become much more energy efficient in the last 10 years so older systems routinely cost much more money to operate than new ones. That doesn’t mean you should immediately rush out to replace your old furnace, but if it isn’t working properly or it’s costing you more money than you’d like, the cost benefit of a new system is often worth checking into.
Other things to check include your insulation, your air quality system, your ventilation system and anything used to heat or cool food in the kitchen – all of which may be less efficient than you might like.
Ozone Depleting Refrigerants
Older appliances like air conditioners may still use ozone depleting refrigerants that are no longer considered safe (or in some cases legal) for home use. If this is the case, not only does your system probably have a very low SEER rating, it likely isn’t good for the environment or your own health. So, have your system replaced as soon as possible to avoid potentially negative side effects.
Dangerous Equipment
Finally, there are those pieces of equipment that are dangerous. If you find that your furnace has rust around the edges, your gas lines are kinked, or you have a dangerously out of date heat pump in your backyard, it may be time for some replacements. In general, these systems will last for years longer than they are considered safe and while you probably cannot buy a house without a working and safe furnace and air conditioner, you should still have them inspected carefully and replaced as soon as possible if you suspect problems.
Good HVAC equipment is hard to come by – if your home has it already, you’re in luck, but if you happen to move into a place with poor quality materials and equipment, have it replaced as soon as possible. Your health and wallet will both benefit greatly.
Tags: Atlanta, HVAC, Refrigerants, SEER, Taylorsville, Woodstock
Posted in Home Savings | Comments Off
Friday, June 17th, 2011
Air conditioning is definitely something most of us wouldn’t want to try and get through the summer without. And for a lot of people, because of medical or other conditions, it’s an absolute necessity. But just because you need to run your AC unit all summer doesn’t mean you need to suffer under the weight of astronomical cooling costs.
So if you’re interested in ways to save on cooling without sacrificing comfort, here are a few tips to get you started:
- Get a Programmable Thermostat – When you come home at the end of a long day, you want your home to be cool and comfortable. But if you only have a basic thermostat, you would have to leave your air conditioning on all day in order to make this possible. Paying to cool an empty house is probably the last thing you want to do. But what is the alternative?
Programmable thermostats offer the best solution in a case like this. These devices can be easily integrated into just about any home air conditioning system and they allow you to set different temperatures for different times of the day. That means you can have your air conditioning off while you’re not home and set it to come on a half hour or so before you get there. This way, you get the pleasure of walking into a cool, comfortable house without paying extra to keep it that way when you’re not home.
- Incorporate Passive Cooling – The design of your home and how you use it can also have an effect on how hard your air conditioning system needs to work. Taking steps as simple as closing the blinds to block out the afternoon sun, putting up awnings and making sure that the exterior of your home is painted a lighter color to reflect sunlight rather than a darker one that will absorb it are all excellent ways to reduce the load on your air conditioner.
- Supplement Your System – You can also take a good chunk out of your cooling bills by using things like ceiling fans in conjunction with your air conditioner. A ceiling fan can effectively lower the indoor temperature several degrees on its own, allowing you to set your thermostat a little higher.
Air conditioning is a major expense that most of us are resigned to paying, but there’s no reason to pay more than necessary with so many strategies available to save money.
Tags: Powder Springs, Townlake, Woodstock
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off
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